Posts Tagged ‘business credit card’

What to Look for When Choosing a Business Credit Card

Sunday, July 31st, 2011

Not all credit card companies are the same.  This is true of business credit card companies as well as consumer card companies.  They all have their own fees, rates, terms, and conditions.  Here are some things to consider when choosing a credit card company to use for your business credit card needs.

1. Customer Service

The most important thing you will want in a business credit card company is good customer service.  If you choose a company that considers it important to take good care of their customers, you will rarely have issues or be displeased.  You want a company that will take care of you.  Dealing with a credit card company that does not care about its customers can be very frustrating.  Check on the customer reviews for the company you are considering and see what actual customers say about the customer service that they provide.

2. Low Interest Rate

The second thing you will want is a business credit card with a low interest rate.  If you have a time when you need to carry over a balance, then having a low interest rate can really save you money.  If you shop around, you will find that each company probably offers a different interest rate, though you will likely find several with average interest rates.  Make sure you understand the terms and interest rates being quoted for the card you are considering and then pick a card that will be the best for your business and save you the most money.

3. Rewards Programs

A feature you may want to consider when looking at business credit cards is a rewards program.  If you are one that pays off your balance each month and you are doing a lot of your purchasing via your business credit card, then a business credit card reward program can be a great benefit.  For instance, if you spend money on your purchases and accumulate point, you could use those points to purchase hotel accommodations for a business trip or equipment and supplies that your business needs.  In some cases, you can even get cash back on your purchases, which can save you money in the long run.  No matter which rewards program you chose, you should consider the rewards that will be the most advantageous to you and your business which, in turn, save your money on your bottom line.

4. Convenience

You will also want to consider how convenient the business credit card company is regarding use of the card and payment of the bill.  In addition, you may want to see how easy it is to check balances online and maybe even pay online.  Having various ways to pay can be a convenience that you need as well.  Just make sure that the business credit card company you pick does not make doing business with them difficult.

Unsecured Business Credit Cards

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

There are many things that you should take into consideration if you are in the market for an unsecured business credit card for your small business. Though an unsecured business credit card can have many advantages and benefits to your business, you want to make sure you pick the right card that meets your needs.

An unsecured business credit card will give your business a credit line with a credit card company without having to put up collateral. Having access to a credit line can be a very powerful financial tool that can help your business grow and prosper.

The Application Process

If you are trying to obtain an unsecured business credit card, you will have to first apply for one. Even if you get a promotional flier in your mail or email, you will still need to apply and qualify for the card. When you apply, the company will take a look at the credit history of your business as well as check the business owner’s individual credit history. Usually you will have an answer as to whether you qualify within minutes if you apply online and within days if you apply by mail.

How to Use Unsecured Business Credit Cards

Your company will find many uses for your unsecured business credit card. Having the credit line at your disposal can make the purchasing of goods and services much easier. You will not have to carry around cash or business checks which will give you more flexibility on when and where you make company purchases.

Benefits of Unsecured Business Credit Card Use

There are many advantages that your business will see by using your unsecured business credit card. The most important benefit to most business owners is how easy tracking your spending can be by using a credit card for all your purchases. At tax time, knowing what you have spent on various categories is a snap.

Also, by using your unsecured business credit card for your purchases, you will be able to earn cash back or reward points on your purchases if you have chosen a card that has these benefits. You can then use your points to purchase additional supplies for your office, pay for business related travel, or purchase employee gifts during the holidays.

Things you should be Cautious of When Using your Card

An unsecured business credit card can be very convenient to have and use; however, you need to make sure you are aware of the terms and conditions of your card and that you are not carrying a balance on the card with a high interest rate or excessive fees. In addition, you need to be conscious of your payment dates and make certain your payments are made on time so you will not incur late fees. Making late payments or carrying balances can cost your business money and possibly hurt your business credit score.

Choosing a Business Credit Card for Your Small Business

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Today’s small business owner can find a business credit card to be a valuable tool. Having a business credit card allows a business owner to track spending, keep records, and even save their business money. It is important for a business owner to choose the business credit card that will be the most advantageous to their business. Choosing the right credit card can have a positive impact on any business.

One advantage to using a business credit card for your business purchases is the ability to take advantage of rewards programs to earn rewards points or cash back on the items you buy with your card. If you pay off your credit card balance each month and do not carry a balance on the card, a rewards or cash back business credit card can be a very advantageous card for you. You can use the credit card to purchase your everyday business supplies and then earn rewards points to earn other supplies for your business or cash back to pay for other business expenses. If you or your employees travel for business, you can pick a rewards card that will allow you to earn travel rewards. This can also help offset business expenses. A rewards business credit card can really help you with business.

A business credit card can also provide you an easy way to track your business spending. Most business credit cards today keep track of what you spend your money on and then provide a statement annually or quarterly itemizing your spending habits. Most of the credit cards can even provide statements that break down the spending by each employee’s separate business credit card on the account so you can see who is spending what where. This can be very helpful in keeping track of your business expenses as well as helping you at tax time.

Business owners should be aware of the terms and conditions of the card they have chosen to use for their business spending. Understanding the interest rate that you will be charged for purchases as well as cash advances is also important. In addition, if you are signing up under a promotional rate such as a low or no interest promotional period, you should know how long you will have the promotional rate, what the interest rate will be normally after the promotional period, and what conditions will make the interest rate rise, such as making late payments.

Remember, most credit cards today, even business credit cards, no longer carry an annual fee. If you are looking to acquire a business credit card for your small business, you should do your research to get the best interest rate and credit limit. Check out all available promotions as well to ensure that you get the best deal, and make sure you do not have to pay an annual fee just to carry the card. You will be very happy with the advantages the right credit card can provide for your business.

Using Your Business Credit Card to Save Time and Money

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

A business credit card can be a valuable tool to any business owner. Entrepreneurs who are establishing new businesses find that business credit cards are helpful in many ways. Establishing a credit history and professional image are the main reasons that business owners choose to use credit cards for their businesses.

Business credit cards have many advantages to the entrepreneur. Getting a new business credit card can help you keep your business accounts separate from your personal accounts as well as help you track your spending. If you own a home business, keeping your accounts separate can be very difficult at times. The use of a credit card for your business related expenses can make this easier.

Credit card companies generally allow multiple cards to be issued to employees. The itemized statements that you receive can break down the expenditures by card so you can see who is spending what. You will be able to track your business expenses as well as understand who is doing the spending on what type of purchases. You can request monthly, quarterly or annual reports and use these reports to help you establish your business budget and understand your business expenditures.

In addition, the use of even a secured business credit card can help a new business establish a credit history. By utilizing your business credit card for all of your business-related purchases, you not only have an accurate record of spending but you are establishing a positive credit history in the name of your company. However, it is imperative that you pay your bills on time each month so that you are establishing a positive credit history and not a negative one. If you need a credit card for your business but worry about carrying a balance, business charge cards are a good alternative to credit cards.

One of the most common ways that new businesses can save money is by using a business credit card with a rewards program for their daily business expenses. Not only will you be establishing credit and tracking your company’s spending, but your business card will be earning you cash back or rewards points to use at office supply stores. This allows you to purchase items you would normally purchase for your business while earning money to put toward other supplies or points to use to purchase office supplies. Using your credit card rewards wisely can save your company money.

If you travel a lot for business, earning reward points to use toward travel can be helpful. A rewards program can earn you points for money you spend on things you were going to buy anyway for your business and then you can use your points to save on airfare, hotels, rental cars or other business related travel expenses.

One option that an entrepreneur may want to consider is prepaid credit cards. These prepaid credit cards can be used by employees to make purchases or used as sales incentives or employee bonuses and gifts. As a business owner you will have the occasion to reward your employees for meeting sales goals or finding a money-saving idea. To reward your employees, you can chose to give a prepaid credit card that may even be used on your products if you offer employee discounts.

Also, you can use prepaid credit cards as a way to ensure you do not have issues with overspending by employees. You can issue prepaid credit cards to your employees to cover their normal expenditures. Then you, as the business owner, do not have to be concerned with taking time to authorize purchases or worry about overspending and blowing your budget. A prepaid credit card can save you time and money and is definitely a valuable consideration for your business.

There are many ways that a business credit card can save you time and money in your business. These include saving money on business expenses, tracking expenses to properly do a budget or find a write-off at tax time, and accumulating rewards points to receive cash back or use toward additional business-related purchases. So pick a card that works for your business and make sure that you use it and its benefits to save the most time and money for your business.

The Benefits of Having a Small Business Credit Card

Monday, March 21st, 2011

It is the American dream to become successful by owning and operating a small business.  There are more than 600,000 new businesses started in this country each year, so it is apparent that there aren’t just a few people that believe in this dream.  Whether you have an established business or you are just starting out, there are many benefits to having a credit card for your small business.

1. Keep your business and personal finances separate.  You don’t want to accidentally use your business funds for personal items or vice versa.  You can use a small business credit card exclusively to keep from having to sort through each transaction to determine whether it is a business expense or personal.  Using a business credit card can save you time and money.

2. Build up your business credit in a positive manner.  If you have a credit card for your business, use it wisely and make your payments on time, you will establish a good, strong credit score for your business.  Building up good credit in your business name can open the doors to new small business loans and other financing opportunities.

3. Belong to a rewards program.  There are numerous reward programs available with various credit cards.  Find a reward program that will work well for your business.  For example, if you can find a reward program that allows you to earn business supplies, you will benefit from using it.  If you have to travel for business, having a rewards program that earns free travel may be helpful.  Consider what you need and try to find a rewards program that will be the most beneficial to your business.

4.  Easy record keeping for your business.  Using a credit card for your expenses and purchases can allow you an easy way to track your expenditures and therefore the deduction you will be able to take at tax time.  A small business credit card that provides an annual statement will make it easy to see exactly what you have done all year and find the tax deductions you are entitled to.

5. Credit cards for easy purchasing.  As your small business expands, you will find that allowing key employees the opportunity to use a credit card for necessary business expenses makes things easier on you.  Most business credit card companies allow you to put several card holders on a credit card so multiple employees can use the same credit card account.  Also, in this way you can easily see what your employees are doing and purchasing.

6. Concierge services.  Some small business credit cards have the benefit of concierge services.  This means that services such as reservation assistance, flight verifications, and even personal shopping services are available at no or low cost to the card holder.  This means that you can have your travel arrangement done for you or flowers sent to a sick employee with one quick call.

7.  Travel benefits.  Regardless of whether you are utilizing a rewards credit card program that awards travel benefits, most credit cards provide travel accident insurance as part of their card benefits.  This will help cover you if you ever lose your luggage or have a flight canceled.